Life changers

A few months ago, I was taking a bus to Boston to celebrate my friend Ashley's birthday. I sat down, plugged in my head phones and pulled out a book. A few minutes later, I saw an elderly man struggling with his bags, struggling to breathe. He sat down next to me and tapped me on the shoulder.
"Yes?"
"Ma'am, are we stopping at South Station or Logan first."
"South Station."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Sir."
Headphones back in.
"It's so nice to meet friendly people." Uh oh...
Headphones back out.
And so began my two hour conversation with one of the most fascinating people I have ever met. We'll call him Jack.
Jack is a disabled war veteran who has been screwed by the system. So, on little funding, he travels back and forth almost weekly for medical treatments at the VA hospital.
When Jack asked where I worked, I was terrified to tell him I worked for an insurance company. He looked at me accusingly as if I was part of the problem.
I reassured him that my heart was in the right place and I was a Spanish interpreter in the customer service center. My job was to make sure people DID have access to their benefits and that they understood exactly what needed to happen and what all their paperwork said. I, too, wished we had universal health care. Yes, I too loved Hillary. But alas... that didn't fix the current situation for this poor man.
He went on to tell me about fighting in the war, his broken family life, how he was trying to take care of himself and also his son and son's wife and child. I listened and nodded, wishing I could do something more.
I got into a passionate discussion with this man about doing work that means something and that makes someone else's life a little bit better than it was before. I told him about my dream to do something in child advocacy. That I was a total hippie in my heart and that all I wanted was for everyone to just GET ALONG and be friendly and kind. He smiled at me and said most people think he's crazy when he tries to talk. I told him most people just have a story they need to tell and not everyone wants to listen.
When we finished our bus ride, I helped him with his things and walked him off the bus. He looked at me and said "You give me hope, young lady. You're going to change the world."
And then we parted ways... and I got to thinking, how interesting that talking to strangers and trusting others has become so taboo. Maybe if we actually told stories/let others tell theirs we wouldn't spend thousands of dollars in therapy bills.

On my way home from Boston, I sat with another lovely person. A woman, maybe in her 40s, who told me about her trip to Boston and asked about mine. We somehow ended up talking about friendships and then relationships. She told me about her struggles with relationships and the demise of her first marriage. How she has a hard time standing up to others and being open with her feelings. I could feel my inner panic start to rise. She sounded a LOT like me. I hate confrontation and have a really hard time telling people when I'm upset and angry.
I told her about my then-relationship and how amazing it was... and she looked at me and said, "I'm so glad there are hopeless romantics left in the world. Always say how you feel, my dear. Show people you care and show them how to treat you."
I was shell-shocked and had no idea her advice would be so pertinent as the year went on. And I think I started to do precisely what she said and I think it's really working.

Ah, sigh. So that is why I talk to strangers. They give me perspective, hope, and an ability to see myself for who I am like others who have known me for a lifetime cannot. And if I just made someone else's trip a little easier by providing an understanding ear, then I'm a happy girl.

Thoughts?